Improvement in fire-escapes



` n im@ atrrt .ing device;

Figure 3, a View in' perspective of a portion of the GEORGE SMITH AND FRANK M. BURROW'S, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Letters Patent No. 1.13,'357, dated April 4, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ESCAPES. I

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making pait of the same.

We, GEORGE 0. Simian and FRANK M. Bunnows, of the city and county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements iu liire-lscapes, of which the followingis a specification.

Our invention consists in providing the inner section of the folding frame with a board, so arranged that when the frame is folded the said inner section and its board will form a top and cover for the frame which incloses the escaping devices within the room.

Our invention also consists iu providing the supportingI hinged section or sections with a wire-platform, so as to form a safe and easy exit from the window to the ladder.

Our invention alsoconsists 1u the arrangement of a traveling-bag in connection with a projecting frame braced by exible and' rigid braces, a suspending swiveling-pulley, and a controlling-rope, -so as to afford a means for the escape of women and children, aud-for saving valuables.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure l represents a view in perspective of a p'ortion of a dwelling, showing our improved'tire-escape applied to a window thereof in the position it occupies when adjusted for use; Figure 2, a section of a portion of the front wall, showing the frame folded up and iuclosing the escaphinged sectional frame, anda traveling-bagV used in connection therewith, and the ladder; and

Figure: 4 represents an elevation of theiuside of the window, showing the sectional frame unfolded and supported upon the sill.

The folding frame for the attachment and inclosing ofthe escaping devices consists, inthe example shown, of four sections, A, B, G, and D. Each section is composed of two bars or rods, hinged together so as to be folded and unfolded.

The section A is secured to the inside ofl the wall beneath the window-sill, and thus forms a permanent attachment for the escaping devices in a' position ready for use. When unfolded the sections A Yor B will occupy vertical positions against the inside of th'e window-sill, and the two sections B and@ will occupy horizontal positions with C, resting upon the sill, and Dextending beyond the sill, as shown in g. 1.

The escaping devices are attached to and suspended from the outer ends ofthe section D.

'Thesedevices consist of two wire ropes, P, having foot cross-rods secured thereto at proper intervals so as to -form a ladder, and a traveling-bag or carrier, G, suspended by a wire rope, I, to aswiveliug-pulley, H, from oneof the bars or rods of the projecting section D, so as to be lowered to the pavement and'pulled up bythe cord I by persons iu the room, on the pavement below, or by the person descending the ladder, and

thus eifect the escape of women and children who could not descend the ladder. This traveling-bag or carrier not only affords a 'safe escape, but, 'by being arranged by the side ofthe ladder, and descending in company with persons escaping by the ladder, inspires confidence'in females and children in excitement and alarm-aud in this respect is of great advantage and utility in a'tire-escape. t

The projecting section D is stayed horizontally by a brace, F', and is connected to the section O by knuckle-joints a; and it is braced vertically by dexible braces' K connected to rigid ,braces F, of the see' tion'O, thus rendering the projectingsection strong and secure, while allowing it to be folded up.

' These sections O and D are supported upon the outside of the sill by vfeet or lprojections E, made adjustable, if desired.

j The section C or D, or-both, thus constructed, is provided with a wire-platform, L, secured to the bars or rods so as'to cover the sill and extend out to near.

the ladder to form a safe exit from the window and means for reaching the ladder. Y This'platform Lalso forms a bed upon which the ladder is folded before folding up the frame, `and does not interfere with such (l the front, and B the top, with the ladder and travcling-bag inclosed therein. j

The section B is closed by a board, N, which forms the top of the frame when folded. When thus folded aud covered the apparatus occupies a comparatively small' space in the room, and can be turned up and thrown out of the window in a moment, free from entanglement, and assumes a position at once ready for use.

The rope of the bag or carrier G may be held within lthe room or thrown out and controlled by those desceuding the ladder or on the pavement;

We' have shown the hinged frame as having four sections, but it is obvious that three will answer the purpose as well by hiuging the bars or rods B to bolts secured to the wall` beneath the window-sill., In `his case the sectionB will rest againstthe sill when brought to a vertical position.

The drawing shows the frame A as projecting out from the wall, but when used it is placed against the wall so as to bring the frame B against the sill when unfolded.

in combination with the rigid braces F Of the hinged p section O, as and for the purpose described. Y 4. The traveling-bag G, in combination with the' projecting frame D, braces F and lK, the suspending swivelingpulley,'and the rope T, all arranged as and for the purpose described. g v

5. The supports E for the knuckles or hinges of' the frames C and D, arranged as described.

6. In a re-escape, the combination of the hinged sections A B 0 D, the wire-platform L, the supports E, the exible and rigid braces K and F, and theV traveling and fixed rneansof escape, the several parts being constructed, arranged, and operating as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names.

GEORGE O. SMITH. Witnesses: FRANK M. BURROWS.

A. E.' H. JOHNSON, J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON. 

